ACE Eligibility & Registration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following professionals is LEAST likely to meet the core eligibility criteria for the ACE (Apexus Certified Expert) examination?
- A hospital pharmacist specializing in 340B compliance
- A community health center finance director managing 340B accounts
- A retail pharmacy owner with no covered entity affiliation (Correct answer)
- A federally qualified health center (FQHC) drug purchasing coordinator
Correct answer: A retail pharmacy owner with no covered entity affiliation
The ACE exam targets professionals working within or directly supporting covered entities in the 340B Drug Pricing Program; a retail pharmacy with no covered entity affiliation does not qualify.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of requiring applicants to attest to their role in the 340B program during ACE registration?
- To determine the exam fee tier the applicant will pay
- To verify that the applicant has relevant professional experience with the 340B program (Correct answer)
- To assign the applicant to a specific test center location
- To confirm citizenship status required by federal law
Correct answer: To verify that the applicant has relevant professional experience with the 340B program
Attestation ensures that candidates possess genuine professional involvement with the 340B Drug Pricing Program, aligning with the credential's purpose.
Question 3: An applicant who submitted an ACE registration but has not yet received a scheduling authorization should first:
- Immediately retake the registration form and submit a duplicate application
- Contact Apexus to confirm that their application was received and is under review (Correct answer)
- Visit the testing center directly to schedule without authorization
- Wait exactly 90 days before taking any action
Correct answer: Contact Apexus to confirm that their application was received and is under review
Applicants should contact Apexus to verify receipt and status of their application rather than submitting duplicates or acting without authorization.
Question 4: Which document is typically NOT required as part of the ACE exam application process?
- Proof of employment at or affiliation with a 340B covered entity
- A completed registration form with professional attestation
- A letter of recommendation from a physician (Correct answer)
- Payment of the applicable examination fee
Correct answer: A letter of recommendation from a physician
The ACE program does not require physician letters of recommendation; eligibility is based on professional role and attestation, not third-party endorsements.
Question 5: How does the ACE exam registration process accommodate applicants who work for a third-party administrator (TPA) supporting a 340B covered entity?
- TPAs are permanently ineligible to sit for the ACE exam
- TPA employees may register if they can demonstrate direct support of a covered entity's 340B program (Correct answer)
- TPA employees must register under the covered entity's name rather than their employer
- TPAs must obtain a special federal waiver before their employees can register
Correct answer: TPA employees may register if they can demonstrate direct support of a covered entity's 340B program
Third-party administrators who provide direct 340B program support to covered entities are generally eligible to register for the ACE exam.
Question 6: What happens to an ACE exam registration fee if a candidate fails to schedule their exam within the authorized eligibility window?
- The fee is automatically refunded in full
- The candidate forfeits the fee and must re-register to obtain a new eligibility window (Correct answer)
- The eligibility window is extended indefinitely at no additional cost
- The fee is credited toward a future registration cycle
Correct answer: The candidate forfeits the fee and must re-register to obtain a new eligibility window
If a candidate does not schedule within the authorized window, the registration fee is typically forfeited and a new registration and fee are required.
Question 7: A rural health clinic (RHC) employee wants to register for the ACE exam. Which statement best describes their eligibility?
- RHCs are not covered entities under 340B and their employees are therefore ineligible
- RHCs are 340B-eligible covered entities, so qualifying employees may register for the ACE exam (Correct answer)
- RHC employees must hold a pharmacy license to be eligible for the ACE
- RHC employees are eligible only if the clinic is located in a state with a 340B state law
Correct answer: RHCs are 340B-eligible covered entities, so qualifying employees may register for the ACE exam
Rural health clinics are recognized 340B-eligible covered entities, making their qualifying employees eligible to pursue ACE certification.
ACE Eligibility & Registration 2
Which of the following professionals is LEAST likely to meet the core eligibility criteria for the ACE (Apexus Certified Expert) examination?